Member Avatar for sunandoghosh

BEST affordable DVD writer available...!!!

Hi everyone,

I am currently having SAMSUNG combo drive (dont know what combo means) which is i believe

cd rom + cd writer + dvd reader (NOT dvd writer)

SO I am planning to purchase DVD writer....???

Q. Which is the best DVD writer cum reader available for home desktop users...???

Q. Is it worth it or should i stick with my CD writer only...???

Q. plz suggest considering one which is compatible with all DVDs...and future technologies...???

Again Cost is not really an issue (unless it is exorbitant) but i should get value for money....

Remember plz....Ur recommendation is my verdict....

Thanks

sunando

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  • Latest Post Latest Post by Kinseeker69

Dani AI

Generated

Compact, practical buying and troubleshooting notes to complement the earlier replies. asked whether an upgrade is worth it; and started the thread with useful points. The short checklist and install/trouble tips below cover gaps not yet discussed and remain useful later on.

  • Primary need: decide whether the drive will mainly produce video discs, large data archives, or occasional backups. Video authoring and routine large backups usually justify a DVD writer; rare, small backups may not.
  • Format coverage: favor drives that handle the widest set of recordable formats and higher-capacity optical media. Support for bitsetting/booktype can improve playback compatibility with older standalone players.
  • Interface and form factor: confirm whether the PC uses IDE/PATA or SATA, or whether an external USB enclosure is preferred for portability. Match the drive interface to the system to avoid adapters or extra expense.
  • Vendor support and features: prefer manufacturers that publish media compatibility lists and provide firmware updates. Look for buffer-underrun protection, reliable verify options, and sensible warranty terms.
  • Media quality: use reputable blank-disc brands; cheap media is the most common cause of failed burns.

Installation and troubleshooting pointers: install with power off, set jumpers on legacy IDE where needed or connect the SATA cable, then confirm detection in BIOS/UEFI and enable DMA. When burning for playback, finalize the disc and avoid maximum advertised speeds—moderate speeds often yield better compatibility. If discs fail in other players: try a different reputable media brand, enable verify, update drive firmware, lower burn speed, or set booktype to DVD-ROM if the drive supports it. Testing the drive on another PC helps determine whether the problem is host-related.

Value guidance: a midrange, multi-format drive with good firmware support and decent media generally gives the best balance of cost and reliability. If DVD work will be frequent or critical, upgrading is worthwhile; for occasional CD-only tasks, keeping the current combo drive remains a sensible option.

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Member Avatar for sunandoghosh

any one willing to advice plz

Member Avatar for Coconut Monkey

(dont know what combo means)

It commonly refers to drives with DVD reading and CD writing capabilities - a combination of the two.

Q. Which is the best DVD writer cum reader available for home desktop users...???

I generally recommend either the Pioneer DVR-109 or the NEC ND-3520/ND-3540.

Q. Is it worth it or should i stick with my CD writer only...???

Depends on what you plan to burn! If normal CDs suit your backup purposes, then there's probably no need to upgrade. Stick with your current drive until you really need to switch or it happens to die.

Q. plz suggest considering one which is compatible with all DVDs...

The ones I recommended write both + and - blank media, along with dual layer + discs.

and future technologies...???

That's a big ask! Some manufacturers release new firmware for a drive so it can support new discs and/or writing technologies, but I wouldn't count on it.

Member Avatar for Kinseeker69

A combo drive in a DVD-ROM drive that's also a CD Burner. But whatever you do, DO NOT BUY A LITEON DVD-Burner

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